UNION, N.J. (3/6/18)- Julie Raba went 4-for-7 with two walk-off RBI's as the #23 Kean University softball team swept FDU-Florham in their season-opening doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. The Cougars improve to 2-0, while the Devils remain winless at 0-4.
Game 1: Kean 2, FDU 1
Olivia Zengel went 3-for-3, while Raba, Cayleen Rizo, and Taryn DiGiacomo all went 2-for-3 as a walk-off RBI from Raba in the seventh gave the Cougars their first victory of 2018.
The contest remained even at 1-1 entering the bottom of the seventh. DiaGiacomo led off with a single to right field, followed by a Zengel double to left center. After an FDU pitching change, Raba tallied her first collegiate RBI with a single to the shortstop that scored DiaGiacomo from third.
DiaGiacomo tossed a complete game victory with four strikeouts.
Game 2: Kean 2, FDU 1
Zengel went 2-for-2, while Raba went 2-for-4 with another game-winning RBI single to complete the sweep of the Devils.
Once again, both squads were deadlocked at 1-1 entering the bottom of the seventh. Kaitlin Stahlbrand started things off with a single through the left side and Tatiana Yourstone pinch ran for the junior. Yourstone advanced to second on a strikeout and then to third on a wild pitch. Zengel would reach base with a walk and then stole second to set up runners on second and third with Raba coming to the plate.
Raba would go back-to-back as the freshman singled through the left side to score the winning run.
Stahlbrand tossed a complete game with three strikeouts.
Head Coach Margie Acker and the Cougars will return to action in Kissimmee, Fla. on Sunday, Mar. 10th, against Webster University at 1:30 p.m.
